“Am I A Threat?” A New York-Based Nigerian Artist Protests Donald Trump’s Travel Ban With Art

Donald Trump’s executive order banning refugees and citizens from seven
Muslim-majority countries from entering the United States of America has
drawn criticism from many quarters. In addition to global leaders, Hollywood stalwarts and CEOs of blue chip companies, Laolu Senbanjo, a New York-based Nigerian artist and 2016 Quartz Africa Innovators honoree is lending his voice to the protest through his art.

Senbanjo, who is best known for his work with singer Beyonce and sports
brand Nike, depicts the Statue of Liberty clothed in African robes. Lady
Liberty is holding a calabash synonymous with African cultures rather
than a torch.

Inscribed above the image of the Statue of Liberty are the
words “Am I a threat to your liberty?” The art, Senbanjo says, is in
response to Trump’s “callous” executive order which has now been suspended by a US court.

“The inspiration behind it is how immigrants are being treated in the
United States by the Trump administration,” Senbanjo tells Quartz.

“The
US has always been welcoming people from parts of the world that are
war-torn. But this administration is shutting the door on a lot of
people who need help and who have sacrificed their lives and burned
bridges trying to help American governments.” His latest piece, Senbanjo
says, asks two questions: “Is my culture a threat to your liberty? Is
who I am a threat to you?”

By pushing a single-story narrative of immigrants being wholesomely
dangerous to America, Senbanjo says Trump is guilty of rash
generalization. An immigrant himself, Senbanjo moved to America in 2013
and says that while the country was welcoming, like many others, he
worked hard for his success.

“I’ve been blessed to make something out of myself here but it’s a
result of working hard. Nothing was handed to me,” he tells Quartz. “I
see myself and other immigrants work hard so it’s ridiculous for an
administration to make such generalizations about immigrants being lazy
criminals. It’s absurd.”

Since moving to America, Senbanjo has emerged as one of the most
distinct African artists. Through Afromysterics, art which he describes
as based on “the mystery of the African thought pattern,” Senbanjo has
racked up an impressive portfolio, working with Nike to create
Yoruba-art inspired sneakers as one of the ‘Masters of Air’ at Nike’s Air Max Con last March. More notably, Senbanjo has also collaborated with American pop star Beyonce on her successful Lemonade album.

In collaboration with Mari Marek, a South-Sudanese refugee turned supermodel,
Senbanjo’s protest art have been printed on t-shirts, called
“Libertees”, for sale at $30 with proceeds planned to be donated to
refugee-focused charity organizations.

Senbanjo says continued advocacy over the next four years will be
necessary to deal with the Trump presidency. “Consistency is key,” he
tells Quartz. “People just need to keep talking, organizing and
protesting.” And for fellow creatives across board, Senbanjo has a
simple message: “Whatever pain you’re feeling, as artists, we can turn
our broken hearts into art.”

“Am I A Threat?” A New York-Based Nigerian Artist Protests Donald Trump’s Travel Ban With Art
Reviewed by News Republiques
on
February 10, 2017
Rating: 5